As the newly formed National Hot Rod Association began its first full calendar year of operation in 1952, the process of legitimizing hot rodding was well underway. At Los Angeles-based Hot Rod Magazine, where the genesis of the organization began in March 1951, editor Wally Parks and the officers of the NHRA continued their work to unite the acceleration nation toward a common good.

A major part of that effort was meeting with governmental agencies, working with regional advocates, and counseling car clubs on ways to ensure goodwill within their communities. "Being a whipping boy for uniformed public officials, irresponsible writers, or other sensation seekers is not a pleasant position, but we shall continue to find ourselves in that role unless we get our thinking straightened out," wrote Parks.

This also meant obtaining the blessings of and working with local law enforcement agencies to present the true picture of the hot rodding sport. By working with Pomona (Calif.) Police Chief Ralph Parker (pictured), the Pomona Choppers were able to get the city of Pomona to pave an asphalt strip on its Fairgrounds. NHRA also moved quickly and worked aggressively at the behest of regions that were trouble spots for illegal activities.

As NHRA grew beyond 7,000 members in 1952, new directors were added, as were regional advisors, the forefathers of the modern divisional directors. NHRA went to great lengths to bring its members together, through mailings and gathering, such as the one at the Bonneville Nationals in 1952. Near year's end, the NHRA began the first step towards the foundation of a set of universal rules and guidelines for dragstrips nationwide.